ICent Rex

The end is nigh for Unai Emery. Arsenal are expected to relieve the Spaniard of his duties shortly after Emery's 18 month reign hit a nadir on Thursday night with a 2-1 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in front of one of the lowest crowds in the history of the Emirates Stadium. Freddie Ljungberg is set to be appointed as caretaker, starting with Sunday's trip to Norwich. The Gunners are enduring their worst run of form since 1992 and are winless in seven games. The patience of the Arsenal hierarchy has vanished. Fans are united in their demand for him to go. Players are bemused by his tactics. An announcement from the Emirates Stadium could well come today and you can join our senior reporter James Benge for reaction to the Frankfurt defeat and a discussion over what comes next.   Source: Football.London

 Arsenal Fans are excited with the English side after reportedly agreeing to buy Lille winger Nicolas Pepe for €80 million. According to BBC Sport, the Gunners will pay in installments and an agreement over a five-year deal is expected to be reached in the next 48 hours between Arsenal and Pepe's representatives. This comes after the Ivorian winger met with Napoli during the week with the Serie A club leading the race to secure his signature amid significant interests. But their proposal has been rejected by Pepe's agent, who is pushing for a move to the Gunners. Nicolas Pepe, who signed for Lille from Angers in 2017, has scored 35 goals in 74 appearances.

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has confirmed his retirement from playing, ending "an amazing 20 years". The 40-year old Ivory Coast striker had two spells at Chelsea, scoring 164 goals in 381 games, winning four Premier Leagues and the 2012 Champions League. He spent the last 18 months of his career with US side Phoenix Rising, the club he co-owns. "After 20 years, I have decided to put an end to my playing career," he told BBC World Service's Sportshour. It had been expected Drogba would retire after the United Soccer League Cup final earlier this month, with his last game a 1-0 defeat by Louisville City in the final of the United States' second tier. "It's the best way to end, helping some young talent to develop. To give something back to the game was the best way to finish as I have learned so much in the game." Drogba did not play top-flight football until the age of 23, when French side Guingamp signed him from Ligue 2 Le Mans in January...

The club released a statement on their social media accounts confirming the painful death of the 60-year-old Thai businessman, and also announced that Tuesday's proposed Carabao Cup game against Southampton will be called off and black armbands will be worn at matches over the next seven days. Footballers, Clubs and coaches have started mourning his death on social media. Thousands of supporters were also pictured on Sunday, laying hundreds of flowers, shirts, and scarves, in a sign of the depth of feeling for the Thai businessman. RIP Boss

Portugal defeated Poland 5-3 on penalties tonight after playing a 1-1 draw in normal time to advance to the semi-final of Euro 2016. Lewandowski first opened the scoring in the early stage of the first half with a crisp finish before 18 year old Renato Sanchez equalized for Portugal. Ronaldo had two good chances to win the game for his country but fluffed his lines resulting in a penalty shootout after extra- time. Ronaldo scored the first goal, Lewandowski scored his for Poland . The next four penalties were converted by both sides, before Blaszczykowski's missed from 12 yards leaving Quaresma to place the ball in the net and carry Portugal to the semi-final where they will meet either Wales or Belgium.

Gareth Bale says Wales have lifted their game to "another level" before their European Championship quarter-final against Belgium. Bale, 26, scored the winner as Wales beat Belgium 1-0 in a Euro 2016 qualifier on their way to reaching a first major tournament for 58 years. Before Friday's rematch in Lille, the Real Madrid forward believes Wales have improved since their last meeting. "From that night, we have gone up to another level," said Bale. "We've taken our game on with playing more games in our system, gelling even more. It was a changing moment for us. "It was my most important Welsh goal, especially at the time of qualifying. "It was an important goal for me personally on my 50th cap and for the team. It also gave us that belief that we can take on and beat the big teams." Listen: 'Belgium lack the desire & instinct to defend' 'Bogey team' Bale feels Wales could have a psychological advan...